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EC Branch: Site Visit – Gonubie Main Road

On the 16th October the Eastern Cape branch of the Concrete Society held a site visit to the much talked about “Gonubie Main Road Contract” just outside East London.

This is the first CRP contracts, of this magnitude, in the Eastern Cape. The event was well attended by vast distribution of Contractors, Engineers and suppliers.

The event started with everyone getting together for a Safety Induction and light refreshment at the Strata Lab premises in Wilsonia. From here everyone got onto a bus and took the trip to site. This was mainly because of the logistics around accommodating a large number of people and extra traffic onto the site.

On site the group was met by site personnel from Basil Read. A quick look at the concrete the machinery and the treatment of the placed concrete were observed and the questions started.

The whole meeting then proceeded back onto the bus and back towards the Independent Group training centre. Patrick Flannigan, vice chairman of the Concrete Society Eastern Cape, welcomed everyone and did a short introduction on the Concrete Society, and the highlights of the Eastern Cape Branch from the past year. Patrick also explained the upcoming events and the fact that we will have our FULTON awards again in 2015. The highlight of our calendar.

Tony du Preez from CBM Africa Consulting Engineers, then gave a overview on the projects.

Tony explained the challenges, and achievements that have been made with regards to the Concrete and general construction of this project. Elwyn Hoft, from Strata Lab and Independent Readymix, then gave a explanation of what was achieved and challenges that was faced, and overcame by the Concrete supplier.

All and all this is a very interesting project, that took a lot of work from Engineers, contractor and suppliers to make it the successful venture that we were able to see.

After all official work was done the, the attendees were treated to some food and drinks in the local “watering hole’’ all sponsored by Strata Lab and the Independent group.